Things to do in Ancash

This excursion is ideal for nature lovers and allows you to swim with sea lions in their natural habitat. Departing from Lima, you will travel by boat to the Guano Islands, where Humboldt penguins and many other guano birds with sea lions live. Jump into the water and bathe with a colony of thousands of sea lions admiring the rock formations along with other animals on your return trip. The Palomino Islands are a group of small islands off the coast of Callao, Peru. Home to a large population of sea lions and seabirds, it has become a popular tourist attraction.

After pickup from your hotel in Huaraz, you will head to the South-East of the Callejón de Huaylas, passing by traditional towns like Recuay, Ticapampa and Catac. Arriving at Huascarán National Park, visit Pumashimin Lake, also known as the Lake of Seven Colors. You will also explore the nearby cave paintings. Next, trek for approximately 40-60 minutes to the Pastoruri Glacier, taking time to appreciate its formation and lagoons. After returning to the bus, you will head to a restaurant in Ticapampa or Catac, where meals cost about 15 soles for lunch. You'll then head back to Huaraz.  If you choose the private option, the bus will stop in a quiet area with a scenic view. Lunch will be served by the guide and the driver.

Your experience begins with pickup from your accommodation in Trujillo at around 10:00AM. From there, depart for Campiña de Moche, a 20-minute drive away. Once there, begin with the Huacas de Moche Museum, where you can appreciate archaeological remain exhibited in three rooms. Following that, proceed to Huaca de La Luna, a religious architectural complex made of adobe, where the image of their deity Aia Paec is displayed. On top of that, iconography of warriors, dancers, spiders, and snakes can also be spotted. From the highest level of the Huaca de la Luna, you can see the 43-meter-high Huaca del Sol, which is used for administrative purposes for research. Next, travel to a restaurant where you are gifted time to enjoy lunch. Following lunch at 2:45PM, begin your Chan Chan tour with a visit to Huaca Arco Iris. This site is in the district of Hope and is also known as the Huaca del Dragon; dedicated to the rainbow as a symbol of fertility. Later, travel to the Chan Chan Site Museum, where ceramics, textiles, metal works, and construction materials are exhibited. In the second room you can see the pre-Hispanic cultural development of the region, before you finish with the room in which the Chimú story is told through projections of lights and sound effects. At the conclusion of your day, return to the city of Trujillo at 6:00PM.

Your day will start at 5:00 AM, when your group departs Huaraz to head north. A small stop will be made at 7:00 AM to buy breakfast and snacks for the road at Yungay.  Around 9:00 AM, you will approach the Cordillera Blanca and enter Huascarán National Park via Quebrada de Llanganuco. Here, you will make a quick photo stop at the lakes of Chinancocha and Orconcocha. You will arrive in Cebollapampa and start the 8 km hike to Laguna 69, located at 4620 meters above sea level. The famous Laguna 69 is one of 400 lagoons in the Huascarán National Park. It is known for being a glacial lagoon with intensely blue waters, framed by a snowy mountain range, from where waterfalls flow down to the base of the lagoon. You’ll stay at the lake for about 30 minutes, and use your time to take photos and enjoy the view, as well as to rest. If you choose the private option, you will eat your packed lunch next to the lake. Around 2:00 PM, start your descent back to Cebollapampa, and then return to Huaraz.

Departing from Huaraz city, you’ll head to the northern part of the Callejón de Huaylas. When arriving at Carhuaz, you’ll make a small stop to buy breakfast and snacks for the road. Drive through the landscapes and cities of the scenic Huaylas valley, with the Santa River meandering through it.  Head to a lookout point for a panoramic view of the Cordillera Blanca, and the snowy mountains of Huandoy Huascarán and Chopicalqui.  Then, continue through Marcara, a city characterized by its traditional customs and clothing. Visit the main square and the San Pedro church. The route continues to the ancient city of Yungay, which was buried by an avalanche during the earthquake of May 1970.  Next, head to Lake Parón, the highlight of the day. Be amazed by the turquoise blue lake, surrounded by glacial peaks that rise to over 6,000 meters (19,700 feet). Lake Parón is one of the largest lakes in the Cordillera Blanca. If you choose the private option, you will enjoy a stop for lunch overlooking the lake. The last stop will be at Caraz, where you can see the Plaza de Armas, the city’s famous candy stores and other main sites. You will then return to your hotel in Huaraz.

Departing from Huaraz city, you’ll head to the northern part of the Callejón de Huaylas. When arriving at Carhuaz, you will visit its principal church and the main square. You will also have the chance to try the local-style ice cream prepared with fruits typical of the area. The route continues to the ancient city of Yungay, which was buried by an avalanche during the earthquake of May 1970. Next, head to the Huascarán National Park via Quebrada de Llanganuco. Here, you will make a stop at the Llanganuco lagoons. The first lake, Chinancocha, is located at the foot of Mount Huascaran. It is characterized by the intense green turquoise color of its waters and the thick forests that grow on its shores. The other smaller lake, called Orconcocha, is located at the end of the glacier valley, and its waters are light blue. If you choose the private option, you will enjoy a stop for lunch overlooking the lake. If you choose the shared option, a stop will be made at a local restaurant where you can buy lunch. The last stop will be in Tarica to see the local handicrafts. You will then return to your hotel in Huaraz.

Enjoy a guided stroll around the city of Trujillo and admire colonial mansions, balconies, and churches. Marvel at the architecture of the Plaza Mayor and the Freedom Monument, designed by the German artist Edmundo Muller. Afterward, continue towards the Archaeological Museum of Trujillo National University for an overview of the region’s pre-Columbian cultures.  Later, visit the Huaca Dragon Temple and admire the 60-meter tall wall that surrounds this imposing complex. Spend some time exploring the interior of the temple, which is dedicated to the rainbow, a symbol of fertility. Afterward, take a ride to the seaside town of Huanchaco and watch the local fishermen on their traditional fishing rafts. Break for lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the ancient city of Chan Chan, which was once the proud capital of the Chimú Kingdom. Enjoy a wander around the city's 10 walled citadels and admire the delicate engravings of geometric figures, birds, fish, and much more. Finally, get dropped off back at your hotel at the end of the day.

Attend a briefing with a mountain guide he day before the trek. Then, start your day at 2:30 AM with pickup from your hotel in Huarez. Heading north, you will soon enter the Ulta Valley at Punta Olimpica, base of Nevado Mateo at 15,420 feet (4700 meters) above sea level. After a brief breakfast stop, start your hike to the summit of the mountain, passing through the moraine. Once at the summit at 16,896 feet (5150 meters), take in breathtaking views of the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Nevado Mateo is a mountain of easy access, perfect for beginners. The summit of Mateo offers beautiful views over the highest Peruvian mountains, such as Huascaran, Chopicalqui, Ulta, Contrahierbas and others.

Depart from the City of Huaraz in the morning and pass through the towns of Unchus and Llupa to reach the panoramic viewpoint of Pitec. Begin the walk to the Churup lagoon, 4450 meters above sea level. Stay for an hour and explore the Huascaran National Park before returning back to Huaraz.

After an early morning pickup from your hotel, depart from Huaraz southeast of Callejón de Huaylas. Along the way, you'll travel via the intriguing cities of Recuay, Ticapampa, and Catac. Next, enter the National Park Huascarán and arrive at the Laguna de Querococha which is 3980 meters above sea level. Spend some much-needed break time here and take in the views. You'll have around 20 minutes to snap some photos and admire the scenery. Continue on to cross the Cordillera Blanca range through the Cahuish tunnel before entering the valley of Conchucos. Pass through Tambillos and the villages of Kercos, Machac, and the contemporary town of Chavín, located on the plush banks of the river Mosna. Enjoy lunch in Chavin, if the private option is selected, overlooking the unique landscape. Then, arrive at the Archaeological Monument of Chavín, called "Cultural Heritage of Humanity". This fascinating monument is the oldest stone structure in Peruvian culture. Finally, wander around the Chavin Museum, where your guide will take you through the many archaeological pieces on show. After your day of sightseeing, leave for Huaraz at around 3:00 PM in order to make it back by 07:30 PM.